24 Hours with Flower Girl’s Denise Porcaro

New York’s most fashionable florist takes us through her day.

Jul 24, 2017

As most accidental occupations go, Denise Porcaro fell into flower arranging. A longtime movie buff, she thought she'd pursue a career in film production. But 13 years ago, whilst hostessing at legendary New York restaurant Eleven Madison Park, she began helping with the table arrangements at sister restaurant Gramercy Tavern. Then, in 2004, the native New Yorker took a leap and never looked back: her tiny-yet-charming Lower East Side shop, Flower Girl, has since become a staple, and her bouquets can be found in some of the city's most stylish institutions and private homes. She shares her extra-busy, multi-tasking 24 hours.

7:00 AM I wake up and answer emails—I get anywhere from 30 to up to 100 a day. I drink a lemon water first thing to set the tone for the day, and then I'll have an espresso with almond milk or creamer.

8:00 AM I either walk to a workout class or stop by De Maria, a chic little restaurant, for a latte with almond milk. When it comes to exercise, I switch between Bari, SLT, modelFIT and The Class by Taryn Toomey. I love SLT, but it books out every five seconds. Bari has an amazing “bounce” class with your own personal trampoline. And you’re toning so much at modelFIT. I can't get enough of Taryn Toomey’s The Class. It’s meditative and the energy that’s coming out of the people around you is transformative. You could totally skip therapy after going to The Class.

9:00 AM Post-workout, I walk home and answer emails the entire time. I have an iPhone 7 Plus with a super-cracked screen that needs to get fixed. As soon as I get home, I feed my dog Piper. I make a green smoothie for breakfast with almond milk or coconut water. I’m obsessed with Sun Potions' powder supplements and I sprinkle bee pollen on top for a little crunch—it’s delicious and it looks pretty. Then I jump in the shower. Generally, I keep my beauty routine simple: CeraVe and an old school dark circle under eye corrector from Clinique. Then I spray my face with Heritage Store Rose Petal Water, which you can get at Whole Foods. I dab on a little blush, bronzer, curl my eyelashes, put on some Dior or Tarte mascara, and finish with Kiehl’s lip balm. I have long, wavy hair, so I brush it, part it down the middle, and I use Davines or Biosilk oil in it for flyaways. I love perfume, especially Rodin and Le Labo, or Montale's musky rose scent. When I get dressed, I try to do it so I can work comfortably and transition from day to night. I've been wearing a lot of Ulla Johnson and Reformation dresses and Loeffler Randall sandals. I throw on a beautiful fish necklace, a scapular, and a thumb ring. I’m the epitome of high and low.

10:00 AM I either head to the shop or our delivery guy from Flower Girl picks me up and we visit my two weekly private home clients. I do about 20 arrangements in their homes, from the master bedroom to their main space to their bathrooms. My favorite part of arranging is that, season after season, you can still come up with different color combinations, flower choices and textures—that's part of the beauty of working with nature.

12:30 PM My husband, Josh Russ Tupper, owns Russ & Daughters, and their café is great for lunch meetings. Sometimes, I bring back a bunch of bagels for the team at Flower Girl. Or I pick up a quick salad from Sweetgreen.

3:30 PM I drive to a site visit for a bride and groom. Sometimes you’re decorating the space in your mind. Other times, you are taking measurements.

Nick Hudson

4:30 PM I head to my plant wholesaler on Long Island to pick up everything I need for the next day.

5:30 PM I drive back to Flower Girl and unload some of the pots and flowers. My manager and I plan the weddings we have on the weekend. Then I jump back on my computer and go through emails and check in with our clients on proposals.

Nick Hudson

7:00 PM At night, I put on a darker color lipstick. And that’s it—I’ve transitioned to my evening look. I sometimes meet friends at Lucien, which is close to where I live. I order an extra dry dirty martini, oysters, and french fries with mayonnaise and mustard. Or I unwind with a glass of wine at home. I usually prep dinner in the morning, so I’m not chopping vegetables at night. We finish our meal with turmeric milk—it’s super relaxing.

8:30 PM My husband and I watch a little TV after dinner. We love Orange is the New Black—my best friend is on it. We also watch The Americans, Homeland, and Chef's Table.

10:00 PM I brush my teeth, and I pat a vitamin C serum under my night moisturizer. I try to avoid screens, so I’m not up all night on Instagram. I’m in between reading a few things: Aziz Ansari’s Modern Romance,Women Who Run with the Wolves and The Five People You Meet in Heaven.

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